Flexible Hinge and Removable Attachment

• US 20160209884A1
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Whitt, David Otto III, Wahl, Eric Joseph, Vandervoort, David C., Pleake, Todd David, Huala, Rob, Schneider, Summer L., Reed McLaughlin, Robyn Rebecca, Mickelson, Matthew David, Pelley, Joel Lawrence, Shaw, Timothy Carlyle, Groene, Ralf, Wang, Hua, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Aagaard, Karsten
• Application Number:
  US15/083,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20160209884A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs;

a connection portion comprising;

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and

a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion, the flexible hinge carrying one or more conductors that communicatively couple the signals with the communication contact.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection portion has a complementary shape to a computing device housing.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein movement of the connection portion with respect to the computing device housing is limited when the connection portion is magnetically bound to the computing device.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the connection portion is configured to be removed from the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection portion comprises at least one communication contact configured to receive power from the computing device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises first and second outer layers that are physically secured to the connection portion and are configured to act as an outer surface of the plurality of keys of the input portion and the flexible hinge.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first outer layer is formed as a continuous fabric layer that covers the plurality of keys.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second outer layer is formed from a material that is different from a material of the first outer layer.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device comprises a third layer disposed in between the first and second outer layers and the third layer is formed from a material that has a higher resistance to tearing and stretching than the first outer layer.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to:

orient the device in a first orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and

orient the device in a second orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a housing of the computing device that is opposite a side of the computing device that includes the display device.

11. A device comprising:

a housing configured to support a mobile form factor;

a display device supported by the hosing;

one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware and disposed within the housing, the one or more modules configured to process signals received from an input device that is coupled to a side of the housing; and

a connection portion configured to couple the housing to the input device using;

at least one contact configured to form a communicative coupling with at least one pin of the input device; and

at least one magnet configured to form a magnetic attachment with the input device.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the connection portion of the device has a complementary shape to a connection portion of the input device.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the connection portion is disposed on a side of the housing.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a channel that includes at least one cavity configured to receive a protrusion of the input device to permit removal of the input device from the channel along a particular axis.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the particular axis is defined by a depth of the cavity and the cavity is configured to restrict removal of the input device from the computing device along other axes.

16. A system comprising:

a housing of a computing device and an input device that are configured to be physically and communicatively coupled using;

a connection portion comprising;

at least one communication contact configured to communicate signals generated by an input portion of the input device and configured to communicate power generated by the computing device; and

a magnetic coupling device that is configured to form a removable magnetic attachment between the housing and the input device; and

a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion, the flexible hinge carrying one or more conductors that communicatively couple the signals with the communication contact.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the signals are generated by one or more of a plurality of keys of the input portion and are to be processed by the computing device as inputs.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the connection portion has a complementary shape to the housing of the computing device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein movement of the connection portion with respect to the housing of the computing device is limited when the connection portion is magnetically bound to the computing device.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the input device is configured to be physically removed from the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes.